STORYTELLING When planning your story, think about these elements:
The Idea It all starts with the idea. The first thing you have to have clear in your mind is ‘what’s the story I’m trying to tell?' or 'What's the point I'm trying to make?' Finish this sentence: ‘I want to make a story about...’
Who is the audience?
Narrative (story) All good stories contain some of the same elements. When creating a story, keep in mind the five W’s:
Who? What? When? Where? Why?
This will help fill in the main body of a story.
Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. The beginning creates the setting in which the story is told, introduces the main characters and exposes the audience to the conflict, or what’s at stake.
The middle should take the reader or the audience on a journey of discovery and be engaging for the participant: so that they stay with the narrative until the end.
The end, of course, provides the audience with a resolution to the conflict or dilemma that has been the subject of the narrative as a whole.
Characterisation, Originality and honesty Every story has characters. There are many types of characters to choose from when producing a story. Some of the more common being villains, heroes and victims of crime. But there are other types of characters who can add a twist to the stories someone writes. In fiction, for example, there is often a hero’s side-kick or there is the character who appears in a story to offer the hero help in a moment of crisis. Normally, there is a central character in any story being told. This may be the hero of the story – or perhaps the villain of the story will turn out to be the central character.
Stories work best when they’re personal. So the storyteller shouldn’t be scared to include themselves in a big way. If it’s an audio story, speak in the first person (eg "I went outside..." instead of "he went outside"); if it’s a video story, film a piece to camera. Make sure it’s personal and that the story has character.
Regardless of the medium used to tell a story, the storyteller must develop their own unique style. This comes from them being honest with themselves and their audience and using their own voice to convey a story.
Writers, storytellers and media makers can be inspired by other people: but don’t just try to imitate idols.
There is a big difference between inspiration and imitation. In the past we’ve received audio and video stories where it seems that the storyteller is trying to copy a well-known TV presenter. But they don’t sound natural. This is because they’re not being themselves.
When planning your story, think about these elements:
The Idea
It all starts with the idea. The first thing you have to have clear in your mind is ‘what’s the story I’m trying to tell?' or 'What's the point I'm trying to make?'
Finish this sentence: ‘I want to make a story about...’
Who is the audience?
Narrative (story)
All good stories contain some of the same elements. When creating a story, keep in mind the five W’s:
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
This will help fill in the main body of a story.
Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
The beginning creates the setting in which the story is told, introduces the main characters and exposes the audience to the conflict, or what’s at stake.
The middle should take the reader or the audience on a journey of discovery and be engaging for the participant: so that they stay with the narrative until the end.
The end, of course, provides the audience with a resolution to the conflict or dilemma that has been the subject of the narrative as a whole.
Characterisation, Originality and honesty
Every story has characters. There are many types of characters to choose from when producing a story. Some of the more common being villains, heroes and victims of crime. But there are other types of characters who can add a twist to the stories someone writes. In fiction, for example, there is often a hero’s side-kick or there is the character who appears in a story to offer the hero help in a moment of crisis.
Normally, there is a central character in any story being told. This may be the hero of the story – or perhaps the villain of the story will turn out to be the central character.
Stories work best when they’re personal. So the storyteller shouldn’t be scared to include themselves in a big way. If it’s an audio story, speak in the first person (eg "I went outside..." instead of "he went outside"); if it’s a video story, film a piece to camera. Make sure it’s personal and that the story has character.
Regardless of the medium used to tell a story, the storyteller must develop their own unique style. This comes from them being honest with themselves and their audience and using their own voice to convey a story.
Writers, storytellers and media makers can be inspired by other people: but don’t just try to imitate idols.
There is a big difference between inspiration and imitation. In the past we’ve received audio and video stories where it seems that the storyteller is trying to copy a well-known TV presenter. But they don’t sound natural. This is because they’re not being themselves.